Coronavirus news live: Cases drop by 10,000 in a week and UK’s plan to save Christmas will ‘likely lead to Covid third wave
People in the UK are to have a five-day Christmas break from Covid-19 restrictions to allow families to see each other over the festive period.
Three households will be able to mix between December 23 and 27, after the leaders of the UK’s four nations agreed on a deal.
Christmas bubbles will have to be exclusive over the five day period, meaning people cannot move from one three-house group to another.
Bubbles will only be able to gather in private homes, go to outdoor public spaces and attend places of worship together – they will not be able to meet together in hospitality settings.
Some have welcomed the news, while others – such as Sage member Professor Andrew Hayward have warned the rules are ‘effectively throwing fuel on the Covid fire’ and will wreak chaos on the NHS.